Spring Session: addresses by the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Georgia

Strasbourg, 8-12 April

PACE holds its spring session in Strasbourg on 8 to 12 April 2019, with addresses expected by the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Georgia. There will be a joint debate on strengthening co-operation with the UN and implementation of the sustainable development goals, with the possible participation of the UN Secretary-General.

The Assembly will hold a joint debate on stopping hate speech and acts of hatred in sport, as well as the role of political leaders in combating hate speech.

Other topics to be discussed include promoting parliaments free of sexism and sexual harassment, the implications for human rights of social media, and a report on balancing the rights of parents, donors and children during the anonymous donation of sperm and oocytes.

There has been a request for an urgent debate on "The budgetary crisis at the Council of Europe".

The Assembly will also look at so-called "laundromats" and new challenges in combating organised crime and money-laundering, and will discuss its view on the creation of a new EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights.

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights will present her annual activity report for 2018 and take questions, while there will be the usual exchange of views with the current head of the Council of Europe's ministerial body, Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister Timo Soini, and question time with Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland.